Katherine Henshell admits her proposal is political; her own property has been targeted for acquisition by the city.

This property on Burlington's Lakeshore Rd. could be torn down as part of a plan expand the city's Beachway Park. Katherine Henshell, a real estate lawyer and the property's owner, is urging the city expropiate Councillor Rick Craven, a firm proponent of the park expansion, from his home and put in a bird park.

It’s the proposal that had quite a few people at Burlington City Hall chirping last week, ruffling the feathers of an already tense council.

Real estate lawyer Katherine Henshell proposed that the municipality open a bird watching park near the bird sanctuary, close to the Royal Botanical Gardens.

There was only one problem — a small one, in Henshell’s mind: the plot of land she had targeted as a haven for bird fanatics was already someone’s home — and not just anyone’s home, either.

The property on Bayshore Blvd. is the humble abode of Burlington Councillor Rick Craven.

But Henshell, who admits to not being of the binocular-toting, feathered creature-loving variety herself, was undeterred.

She pressed on with her proposal by writing that “this property provides adequate space, viewing capabilities and a quiet tranquility which is necessary for birders to pursue this recreational activity.”

Henshell recommended that the city acquire the land as soon as possible, but the municipal overlords moved in to quash that suggestion.

Kim Phillips, the city’s general manager, community and corporate services, wrote to Henshell on Friday to inform her that Craven lives in a residential zone on a property not targeted for “strategic acquisition.” In any case, there are plenty of other parks in town where people can look at birds, she wrote.

She thanked Henshell for the “creative suggestion.” So she did get points for trying.

Henshell was only half-serious about flattening Craven’s house and putting up some benches and who knows, maybe even a few outhouses, in its place. She admitted she was also trying to make a point.

The region and city have said they will attempt to purchase the homes when their owners decide to sell, working on a “willing seller/willing buyer” basis, but residents have complained that this approach devalues their properties and makes the region the only interested buyer.

Craven, who declined to comment, is an expansion super-fan and his ward includes the beachfront homes. He’s also a regional councillor and voted in favour of the Beachway plan last October.

“I didn’t do this out of spite and I don’t mean Councillor Craven any ill will, but I think it’s a fair statement to say that it’s political,” Henshell told the Star.

“One day I was looking at Councillor Craven’s house and thought ‘Why does this guy want to take my property and turn it into a park?’ Then I thought, ‘Huh, Councillor Craven’s house is already right next to a bird sanctuary,’ so there would be economic value in turning his home into a park.”

Henshell doesn’t live in the house on Lakeshore Rd. in Beachway Park. Until recently she used it as her law office, and is now planning on renting it out. Her actual residence is just two doors down from Craven’s, but she said her property and those of her neighbours are not of a decent size to accommodate a park.

Reponses to the proposal were mixed among councillors, who are already at odds with each other over the Beachway decision.

Councillor Paul Sharman told the Star it was a “good-spirited joke…I know Councillor Craven appreciates the humour.” In an email to Henshell, Councillor Jack Dennison said the idea was “interesting” and made sure the director of parks and recreation was made aware of it.

In an interview with the Star, Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring said Henshell’s approach was “disappointing and unfortunate.”

“There was an open and democratic and clear process at the region and city about the whole issue about the Beachway, and I do understand the concerns of residents,” he said.

But city and regional councillor and Craven archrival Marianne Meed Ward, by far the most vocal opponent to removing the Beachway homes, said the proposal merits council’s attention.

“If there’s sympathy for the councillor, then we should have sympathy as well for the residents who have been there for years,” she said.

Henshell means business. She said despite the city’s response, she will continue with her efforts to boot out the Cravens and bring in the birders.

“All the factors are currently present at this location to market this park to birdwatchers,” she told the Star. “It is a turn key opportunity that the city needs to immediately capitalize on.”

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